Salt Lake Temple at Christmas

One last photo to say goodbye to Christmas 2018.

Merry Christmas 2018

Watchman Peak from Canyon Junction Bridge

Watchman Peak

Zion National Park, Utah

I know, you've seen this iconic scene a million times, but I just couldn't help myself!! Sometimes the 'photo fairies' work their magic for me! Jeff and I took a day trip yesterday and made a loop to Cedar City, then up in the mountains passed Navajo Lake and Duck Creek, then down through Red Canyon, and we ended at Bryce. I took a few photos, we ate lunch at Ruby's and then headed back via Mt. Carmel and through Zion. By then the sun was really low and by the time we started through the tunnels, the sun was setting. But when we came to the bridge, and I looked out toward this familiar scene, (that has been photographed a gazillion times), this is what I saw. I had no intention of taking a photo here, but I just couldn't resist. Jeff quickly turned off the road, I grabbed my camera, jumped out of the car, and ran across the street. I knew I didn't have time to set up my tripod, or for that matter, fiddle with my camera settings. Luckily there was a spot among all the photographers where I could set my camera on a bridge pillar. I clicked the shutter about 3 times, and then the color was gone. Luckily my camera is almost always set to take 3 different exposures with every shutter click. I combined two of these exposures and this is the result.

Sand Hollow State Park

Sand Hollow State Park, Utah

I anticipated there would be a beautiful sunset tonight, and I was right. The sky was also beautiful in the opposite direction from the sunset. This was taken at Sand Hollow State Park, about 20 minutes from our southern Utah home. (Just in case you are wondering, I combined a photo of the sky, taken with a 200mm lens, (that's why the moon is large), with a photo of the rest of the scene, taken with a 22mm lens. The colors are accurate to what I saw.)

St. George, Utah Visitor's Center

St. George LDS Visitor's Center in front of the St. George Temple.

Salt Lake Temple - Colorful

Another colorful photo before the sky turned dark.

Tree of Life, Draper, Utah

Tree of Life

I try never to pass up a photo opportunity!  There was someone just out of my frame, operating a drone and taking photos of this man playing bagpipes. He had a light on the ground shining up at him. I was walking by to find my own composition of the tree and decided I'd take a few shots of him as well.

Number 14!!!

Our beautiful 14th grandchild.  He weighed in at 9 lbs. 10 oz., 22 ins. long.

Temple Square Christmas -1

Temple Square Christmas - 2018

I love to take photos of Christmas lights early in the evening when there is a deep blue sky to add even more color.

Draper Temple Inversion

Draper Temple

We've had a week of gloomy winter days where the atmosphere is a mixture of fog and smug trapped in what we call an inversion. Bad air quality all the way around, but makes for some pretty moody photos.

Mt Timpanogos Temple

Taken yesterday on my travels. 

 It seems like Autumn is not quite willing to accept the inevitable and surrender to Winter!

First Snow of the 2018-19 Season

Good Morning.  Welcome to My World!

Taken from my bedroom window today.

Images for 2019 Calendar

Here are some of my favorite places, favorite memories and favorite 2018 posts that I'm making into a 2019 calendar.

Utah Lake

The Warm Before the Storm!

I'm going to miss scenes like this for the next few months as winter rapidly approaches!  Sigh!

Provo Canyon, Utah

Provo Canyon, Utah at Sunset

NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:  Beautiful, warm sunset light opposite the actual sunset, and dark storm clouds, can make even average landscapes look inviting!  Take your camera out to shoot right after stormy weather for beautiful skies and light!

Red Fish Lake, Idaho

Red Fish Lake, Idaho at Sunset

NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:  When photographing a landscape with a large expanse of water taking up a large portion of the scene, look for a composition that includes a foreground object or objects in the water, (rocks, boat, clump of reeds, etc.), to add interest and show depth of field.

Thanksgiving 2018

 Happy Thanksgiving

Today, if you can gather around a table with those people you love the most, and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving feast served with laughter, memories, love and respect for each other, then you are truly blessed and have much to be thankful for! I am and I hope you are too!

NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:  
No matter what type of photographer you are, it is important to spend some time using your skill and talent to help others or to provide a service.  Maybe a family you know cannot afford a family portrait, maybe you could turn your nature images into greeting cards and use as gifts, maybe you could print and frame a meaningful image to donate to a good cause, maybe you could teach a beginning photography class to children, or maybe you could create an image along with thoughtful words to inspire or comfort others.  The ways to use photography are many and additionally, you will grow in skill and character.

Autumn Meets Winter!

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter!

Some time ago I mentioned that many of my photographer friends are posting their work on Instagram instead of a blog.  I am also posting my work in IG but will continue to do both, because this blog is my personal photography journal of my favorite shots during the year.  I really appreciate my friends who continue to take a look here and especially those who comment, and I apologize for not making it to your blogs as much as I'd like to.  If you are more of an Instagram user, however, you can find me at 'karenlarsenphotography' and 'karenlarsenldstemples'.  

I usually post a photo tip, (called NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS), with each image I post on IG, and decided I should do that here as well.

NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:  I've mentioned before, that placing a horizon line anywhere but dead center of the frame often creates a more visually interesting composition.  This is also true when you have a strong dividing line between two elements below the horizon.

About Dying

Gone From My Sight 

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone", there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying......." by Henry Van Dyke

A dear friend passed away yesterday.  When my mom passed away some years ago, someone gave me this.  I love the peaceful image it brings to my 'mind's eye'.  (Photo taken in New Caledonia.)

Restaurant With Character

Fun Foto For Friday

"Hey Jeff....I wonder if we could find a good steak around here?"

Autumn's Fading Sun

'The summer sun is fading as the year grows old, and darker days are drawing near.....'

(Moody Blues)

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona

Mission San Xavier del Bac, (known as 'White Dove of the Desert'), is about a 40 minute drive south of Mission San Jose de Tumacocori, from my last post. Although both missions were founded at nearly the same time, this current building was built in 1783. As you can see, it is much more elaborate and opulent in design and decoration than the humble San Jose de Tumacocori Mission building.

Mission San Jose de Tumacacori

Mission San Jose de Tumacacori

We visited this historical site early last spring.  It is a short distance from Tucson, Arizona.   Established in 1691, it is the oldest Jesuit mission in southern Arizona.

Still Fall

Not ready to say goodbye to fall yet!!

Amazing Autumn Color!

Amazing Autumn Color

I have neglected posting my recent photos to this blog.  

So if you are here, thanks for stopping by, and scroll down to see what I've by photographing the last few weeks!!  

Gunlock, Utah

Gunlock, Utah

There is almost always a photo op at this little gem of a spot in Gunlock, a small village about 10 minutes from our southern Utah home. (I think there must have been another photographer taking pictures there shortly before me because the yellow leaves on the rock were already perfectly placed for my composition!)

Room For Rent!

OPEN HOUSE.  COME MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS!!

You Light Up My Life!!

You Light Up My Life! 

Sometimes a 'photo op' finds me! I was sitting in the car getting my camera ready while waiting for the sun to set, and when I looked up, this is what I saw. So I quickly got out and stood in front of the car for this shot!

Lake Powell 2018

There are 9 certified 'dark sky places' in southern Utah where the Milky Way is clearly visible with the naked eye. Add a long exposure and a tripod, and the night sky becomes magical as seen through a camera lens.

Our annual family vacation to Lake Powell is always an 'adventure'! This year was not our best year with a broken and leaky houseboat, a broken ski boat, and rainy, cold weather. But despite all this, everyone stayed safe and the kids and grandkids always have a great time. And as a bonus, when I can photograph scenes like this, it makes it all worth while!!